Newsletter
Dems attack GOP congressman for cannabis advocacy (Newsletter: July 13, 2018)
NY allows medical marijuana for opioid conditions; Lawmakers debate legalization & driving; OK lawmakers vow to fix medical cannabis regulations
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
In a Los Angeles Times op-ed, I called out the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for launching a bizarre anti-marijuana attack against Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) on Twitter. Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) told me in a statement that political organization’s tweet, which was deleted following the publication of my piece, was “stupid.”
New York regulators enacted emergency rules allowing medical cannabis for any condition that would normally be prescribed opioids.
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee debated the alleged link between marijuana legalization and impaired driving during a hearing.
/ FEDERAL
U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) said cannabis oil “has proven…to have a positive effect” but that he is concerned about broader medical marijuana being a “back door” to recreational legalization.
Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted, “How can we solve the problem of U.S. citizens getting arrested or fined for carrying marijuana bought legally from Canada? Simple, by legalizing marijuana in our nation.”
The U.S. House bill to deschedule marijuana got one new cosponsor, got a total of 38.
The U.S. House resolution calling for equity in the marijuana industry got one new cosponsor, for a total of 16.
Arizona Democratic congressional candidates spoke about marijuana reform at a forum.
/ STATES
Oklahoma lawmakers formed a bipartisan working group to focus on seeing that medical cannabis is implemented in a way that “conforms to the will of the voters.” House Democrats are calling for a special legislative session to address the issue.
- Supporters of a pending recreational marijuana legalization ballot initiative say they are seeing an uptick in signatures, driven by frustration with restrictions in new medical cannabis regulations.
Hawaii Gov. David Ige (D), after vetoing legislation to allow medical cannabis for opioid conditions, announced he signed amendments adding reciprocity for out-of-state patients, making certifications last for up to three years and enacting other expansions to the program.
New Jersey’s health commissioner is considering adding opioid addiction as a medical cannabis qualifying condition.
Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidates both said at a debate that they favor medical cannabis expansion but oppose recreational marijuana legalization.
Connecticut Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont said the “time has come” for marijuana legalization.
Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidate Matt Flynn said he would do everything in his power to legalize marijuana and would pardon nonviolent cannabis offenders.
Oregon regulators issued a report saying the state’s medical cannabis program has “shortcomings that enabled growers, dispensaries and laboratories to operate without effective oversight.”
Michigan regulators awarded the state’s first four medical cannabis operating licenses. Meanwhile, the Detroit free press looks at the differences between the state’s marijuana legalization proposal and Colorado’s law.
New Mexico regulators sent a letter warning medical cannabis licensees to stop selling CBD and hemp products that were produced outside of the state.
Massachusetts regulators issued another marijuana cultivation license, but it is unlikely that legal sales will begin until August.
Alaska’s lieutenant governor certified regulations concerning marijuana business affiliates, inspection fees, odor control and trade shows.
Arkansas regulators voted to keep medical cannabis cultivation license applications open for 24 months in case any current awardees surrender or lose their licenses. They also approved a rule that would allow hiring an outside consultant to help review and score applications.
Ohio regulators approved more doctors to recommend medical cannabis.
/ LOCAL
The Dane County, Wisconsin Board voted to place a marijuana legalization advisory question on the November ballot. Several other counties have already done the same thing or are considering doing so.
U.S. cities considering opening safe consumption facilities for illegal drugs are wary of federal intervention.
A Denver, Colorado police captain said that a CNN live report on New Year’s Eve about marijuana tourism buses led to a crackdown on those services.
A San Francisco, California Board of Supervisors committee amended a marijuana tax measure that voters could potentially see on the November ballot.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Canadian government launched a public consultation on how to recover costs associated with implementing marijuana legalization.
/ ADVOCACY
NORML launched a congressional letter writing campaign.
Republican pollster Frank Luntz picked up on the story about Democrats criticizing a GOP congressman for supporting marijuana reform.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that “consumption of medical cannabis flower is associated with significant improvements in perceived insomnia.”
Here’s a look at how Colorado is handling youth marijuana education under legalization.
/ BUSINESS
Bloomberg looks at how big investors are starting to get involved in the marijuana industry.
Uber reserves the right to delete the accounts of riders who possess — or even just smell like — marijuana during trips.
/ CULTURE
Filmmaker Kevin Smith is piloting a new series starring himself as a marijuana dispensary worker.
Three Massachusetts men are facing animal cruelty charges after a video emerged of them appearing to blow marijuana smoke into a goat’s face.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
